A couple post-release notes...

For Midnight Rising, which I'm pleased to say both featured, and garnered four new likes!

First, with my sincerest apologies, I initially neglected to link the picture of Ember I used and failed to properly credit the artist. So let me take care of that now:

Image by Tyler611: https://www.deviantart.com/tyler611/art/Ember-604020126

Before anyone asks, the webpage says the picture is available for general use as long as the artist is credited, so I've made sure to update the chapter with the link and artist credit as well. That picture, you may note, is actually a more anthro version of Ember than the show depiction of her, but I used it because she had exactly the expression and attitude I was looking for. If nothing else, consider that depiction a harbinger of things to come as I plan a very interesting tie-in for her with something said in the latest chapter of Nightmare Night.

Second, I removed a small section of the chapter--about four hundred words--after it got flagged by the first two commenters for different reasons. I originally had an aside by Sunset in there where she discussed how she kept the two Principals in check, with a measure of sensual blackmail in the case of the Celestia. It was flagged because 1) Improbable Deniability said it felt awkward and momentum breaking, and 2) MSie95 found the assertions about Principal Celestia disturbing.

Needless to say, when two regular commenters who give good feedback ding the same section for different reasons on consecutive comments, I tend to immediately take notice, and then take action. So let me publicly say thanks to you both for pointing it out. The offending paragraphs have been removed, and I admit the narrative flow through that area seems much better without them.

I may bring the removed portion back in a later chapter at a more suitable point, and attempt to address MSie95's concerns about it in the process. Why so insistent on including it? Well, it is canon to my stories that Celly once did something she shouldn't have with Sunset, and regrets it. That was actually explored over in The Lawyer and The Unicorn a while ago, but suffice to say, she realized her mistake and set about finding healthier outlets for her unmet needs afterwards, including taking a male human lover when she vacations on Earth (yes, really).

Anyway, work will continue on Midnight Rising, interwoven with work on editing additional chapters of Feathered Heart. I'll explain my reasoning and writing plan more fully in a coming blog.

Comments

[AJ Aficionado]

Needless to say, when two regular commenters who give good feedback ding the same section for different reasons on consecutive comments, I tend to immediately take notice, and then take action. So let me publicly say thanks to you both for pointing it out. The offending paragraphs have been removed, and I admit the narrative flow through that area seems much better without them.

This is why the more prereaders/editors the better. I've never ended up with a worse story after a suggested change to avoid awkwardness or add detail.